HSBC Live Plus Credit Card

About HSBC Live Plus Credit Card

Do you find yourself spending a significant chunk of your monthly budget on dining out or ordering in? If your Swiggy or Zomato history is longer than your grocery list, you might be leaving thousands of rupees on the table every year. The HSBC Live Plus Credit Card is designed to fix that by turning your food cravings into actual savings.

This card offers a massive 10% cashback on dining and food delivery spends. If you spend ₹10,000 on food monthly, you can get ₹1,000 back in your statement every single month. That is ₹12,000 in yearly savings just on food, without counting the other lifestyle perks. It is a straightforward, high-value card for those who live life through their taste buds.

Targeted at professionals and foodies earning at least ₹50,000 per month, this card bridges the gap between basic cashback cards and premium lifestyle offerings. It is particularly effective for urban dwellers who rely on delivery apps and frequent restaurant visits for their social life.

What sets it apart:

• 10% cashback on dining and food delivery, which is significantly higher than the 1.5-2% industry average for general spends.
• Automatic cashback redemption where your earnings are credited directly to your monthly statement.
• A welcome benefit that effectively makes the card free for the first year if you meet the initial spend target.

Quick check: To qualify for this card, you will need a minimum monthly income of ₹50,000 (6 LPA) and a solid credit history with a CRIF score of 720 or higher.

Let's break down why this card might deserve a spot in your wallet:

Key Benefits and Features of the HSBC Live Plus Credit Card

The HSBC Live Plus Credit Card is a specialist tool. It does not try to be everything for everyone, but for its core categories, it is incredibly hard to beat. Here is a detailed look at the features that provide real value.

The Dining and Food Delivery Powerhouse

The standout feature is undoubtedly the 10% cashback on dining and food delivery. This includes physical restaurant visits and orders placed through major food delivery platforms.

• The Math: You earn 10% back on every rupee spent in this category.
• The Cap: The cashback is capped at ₹1,000 per billing cycle. To maximize this, you should ideally aim for a monthly food spend of ₹10,000.
• Added Perks: Beyond the cashback, you get up to 15% off at select partner restaurants across Asia through the HSBC Live+ Dining Programme, giving you a double benefit on your night out.

Welcome Rewards and Joining Benefits

HSBC makes it easy to offset the cost of getting the card. While there is a joining fee of ₹999, the welcome benefits are designed to put you in the green immediately.

• ₹1,000 Welcome Cashback: If you download the HSBC India Mobile Banking app and spend ₹20,000 within the first 30 days, you receive ₹1,000 cashback. This effectively covers your joining fee.
• ₹250 Amazon Voucher: By applying online and completing your Video KYC (VKYC), you get an additional ₹250 Amazon e-gift voucher.
• Condition: You must make a minimum transaction of at least ₹100 within the first 30 days to activate the rewards program on your card.

Airport Lounge Access

For the occasional traveler, the HSBC Live Plus provides a touch of luxury at the airport. You get 4 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits per year. This is structured as one visit per calendar quarter at select lounges across India. It is a great way to save on expensive airport meals and enjoy a comfortable wait before your flight.

Fee Structure and Waivers

Understanding the cost of ownership is vital for calculating your total savings.

• Joining Fee: ₹999 (Offset by the ₹1,000 welcome cashback).
• Annual Fee: ₹999.
• Annual Fee Waiver: The ₹999 renewal fee is waived if your total spends in the preceding year exceed ₹2 Lakhs. For a frequent user, spending roughly ₹16,700 monthly makes this card free for life.

Cashback Redemption: Zero Hassle

One of the best things about this card is how you get your money back. There is no need to browse a catalog of overpriced toasters or track reward point expiry dates. The accumulated cashback is automatically adjusted in your monthly statement. It is the simplest way to see the direct impact on your bill.

Things to Note: The Exclusion List

To maximize your benefits, you need to know where you will NOT earn rewards. Like most modern credit cards, HSBC excludes several categories from cashback and spend calculations. These include:

• Utilities and Rent payments
• Fuel and Toll charges
• Insurance premiums and Education fees
• Wallet loads and Money transfers
• Government payments and Property management fees
• Jewellery, Charity, and Wholesale clubs
• EMI transactions and Cash withdrawals

How to Apply for the HSBC Live Plus Credit Card

The application process for the HSBC Live Plus is primarily digital, especially if you want to get that extra ₹250 Amazon voucher.

1. Check Eligibility: Ensure you meet the minimum income requirement of ₹50,000 per month (6 LPA).
2. Visit the Portal: Go to the official HSBC India website or use a partner link to start your application.
3. Fill Details: Enter your basic personal details, employment information, and contact number.
4. Video KYC: Complete the Video KYC process using your original PAN card and Aadhaar for instant verification.
5. Submit Documents: If required, upload digital copies of your income proof (salary slips or ITR).
6. Activation: Once the physical card arrives, make a transaction of at least ₹100 within 30 days to ensure your rewards are active.

Applications are generally processed within 7 to 15 working days, though approval speed depends on your location and document verification.

Documents Required for HSBC Live Plus Application

You will need to submit the following documents when applying:

For Salaried Applicants

• Identity Proof: PAN Card (mandatory), Aadhaar Card, Passport, Voter ID, or Driving License.
• Address Proof: Aadhaar Card, Passport, Utility Bills (not older than 2 months), Rent Agreement, or Property Tax Receipt.
• Income Proof: Latest 3 months' salary slips and 6 months' bank statements showing salary credits.
• Employment Proof: Office ID card or employment letter.

For Self-Employed Applicants

• Identity Proof: PAN Card (mandatory), Aadhaar Card, Passport, Voter ID, or Driving License.
• Address Proof: Aadhaar Card, Passport, Utility Bills, or Business Property Documents.
• Income Proof: Latest 2 years' ITR (Income Tax Returns) with computation of income, and 6 months' bank statements.
• Business Proof: Business registration certificate, GST registration, or Shop Act License.

Note: All documents should be self-attested. The bank may request additional documents during the verification process depending on your profile.

Credit Limit: What to Expect

Credit limits are assigned based on your income, credit score, and existing banking relationship. Given the minimum income requirement of ₹6 LPA, most approved applicants can expect a healthy starting limit that allows for meaningful spending on dining and lifestyle. Initial credit limits generally range between ₹75,000 and ₹3,00,000 based on your income and financial profile.

Comparison: HSBC Live Plus vs. Competitor Cards

How does the HSBC Live Plus stack up against other popular cashback cards in India? Let's look at the numbers.

While the Swiggy HDFC card is a strong competitor for food delivery, the HSBC Live Plus wins if you also enjoy dining out at physical restaurants, as it offers a flat 10% on all dining spends. The SBI Cashback card is better for general online shopping across Amazon or Flipkart, but for pure foodies, HSBC offers double the value.

Who Should Get This Card?

Should you get this card? Here is who benefits most from the HSBC Live Plus:

The Urban Foodie: You are a professional earning ₹60,000 monthly. You order from Zomato or Swiggy 3-4 times a week and hit the local bistro every weekend. If your food bill is around ₹10,000 a month, you are looking at ₹12,000 back in your pocket annually. This covers your annual fee ten times over.

The Quarterly Traveler: You travel for work or leisure a few times a year. You want a card that doesn't just save you money on food but also gives you a place to relax at the airport. The one lounge visit per quarter matches perfectly with a balanced travel schedule.

The Efficiency Seeker: You hate tracking points and reward catalogs. You want a card that works in the background and simply makes your monthly bill smaller. The automatic statement credit feature is perfect for your "set it and forget it" lifestyle.

You might want to skip this card if:

• Your monthly income is below ₹50,000, as you won't meet the eligibility criteria.
• You rarely order food online or dine out; a general cashback card like the SBI Cashback or Axis Ace would serve you better for groceries or utilities.
• You are looking for international lounge access or comprehensive travel insurance.

BankKaro Expert Review

Based on the card's features, the HSBC Live Plus excels at being a high-yield specialist card. In a market where many cards are diluting their rewards, offering a flat 10% on a major expense category like dining is a bold and consumer-friendly move. It is one of the most rewarding cards for the "dining out" demographic in India right now.

The biggest limitation is the exclusion list. Since categories like utilities, rent, and insurance don't earn rewards, you cannot use this as your "one and only" card if you want to maximize every rupee spent. It works best as a secondary card dedicated specifically to food and lifestyle spends.

Our verdict: If you meet the income criteria and spend at least ₹5,000-7,000 monthly on food delivery and dining, this card is a "must-have." The welcome bonus and fee waiver are easily achievable, making the high 10% cashback rate essentially pure profit for the user.

Terms and Conditions

• The bank may offer a different card variant based on your eligibility. Please carefully read the features of the card offered before submitting your application.
• A minimum transaction of Rs.100 within 30 days is required to activate the card, otherwise, you won’t be eligible for the Rewards.
• Cashback is not applicable on transactions converted into EMIs at the time of purchase.
• The 10% cashback on dining is subject to merchant category codes (MCC) as defined by the network (Visa).
• The complete and most current terms and conditions are available directly on the bank's official website.